Gundaroo is an important example of a typical 19th century Australian village and has become a significant tourist attraction for the area. Similarly its unique character has attracted many new residents in recent years. Gundaroo is special because it does not have the urban sprawl which is associated with other small towns within commuting distance of Canberra.

The village lies in the Yass River valley on gently rolling countryside and is surrounded by distant wooded hills. It contains all the elements typical of a township from last century such as an hotel, a general store/post office, a Common, a Park and three churches. The main street is mostly preserved in its original character.

Most of the older buildings were constructed in the period 1860-1890 and are generally in good condition. There is a range of building styles and materials including slab huts, wattle and daub, stone and locally fired brick.

There are now several newer buildings scattered throughout the village many of which complement the historic character of the township. There are also pleasing open spaces and a town common bordering the village on the eastern side. The common is one of the few remaining functioning town commons in existence and provides an area for villagers to graze cattle.

The National Trust has defined the village as being of historic significance and it has been classified as an Urban Conservation Area.

More information about Gundaroo and district:

 Click here for a sketch of the main street (Cork Street)

  Gundaroo History

• A brief history of the Village
• Picture Gallery  -  some photographs from the 1920s and 30s

 Genealogy pages - Family History, Local Cemeteries and Research Data

 Present Day Gundaroo

• Things to see in the Village
• A walk through the Village
  • Download a map and guide of the Walking Track (zipped file 200KB)
• Picture Gallery  -  the village today
• Gundaroo Public School
• The Gundaroo Vision Plan
• Coming Events

 The Gundaroo Bush Festival

 The Gundaroo Community Association

 The 1st Gundaroo Scout Group

 The Gundaroo Soldiers' Memorial Hall

 Food

• Cork Street Café - Phone 6236 8217
• The Royal Hotel - Grazing - Phone 6236 8777
• The Wine Bar - Crowe's Restaurant - Phone 6236 8155

 Local businesses

• Old Saint Luke's Studio - gallery and pottery
• Gundaroo Tiller
• Thorne Engineering - The WeedWakka
• Wordworks Consulting - Résumés, selection criteria and writing services
• Antica Trading - Find us at the The Old Gundaroo Store

 Child-Care

• A Family Day Care Scheme has recently opened in Gundaroo and replaces the Burrinjuck Family Day Care service previously operated by the Yass Valley Council. The new Family Day Care Scheme holds a NSW Department Of Community Services Children's Service License to support and regulate Carers to provide child-care services from their home. We currently have 3 Carers operating in Gundaroo and children from the village and surrounding areas on the waiting list.

  For details contact Julia Morphett
  84 Lute Street
  Gundaroo
  T: (02) 6236 8305
  E: julia.morphett@bigpond.com

  Other Things

• This Site's Top Page
• Local Government Page
• The Gundaroo Bullock   by A. B. ('Banjo') Paterson
• The Gundaroo Pony   a story for children by Libby Anderson
• Growth and Conflict - an essay by Cathy Challinor

Further reading:

• 'Gundaroo' by Errol Lea-Scarlett, Roebuck Society Publications 1972.
• 'Gundaroo - a relic of 19th century Australia' by Jim and Ronald Revitt, Anvil Press 1978.

Other places to visit:

• Meteorological data for Canberra
• Australian Capital Territory Facts
• Australian Capital Territory
  • Hall and District Community Website
• New South Wales Facts
• New South Wales

Mail comments or queries to Gundaroo Historical Society
historicalsocietygundaroo@gmail.com
P.O. Gundaroo, NSW 2620
Australia
Ph 02 62368166